Men may be at higher risk for complications related to osteoporosis fractures

When women hit menopause, their bone loss declines sharply. For men, the bone loss is much more gradual. However, doctors say if a man should suffer a fracture, the risk of complication is much worse, according to ABC news.

"The mortality rate after a hip fracture is about twice as much in men as it is in women," said Dr Alberto Odio of the Alta California Medical Group (ACMG).

Although fractures due to weak bones occur in one in four men over 50 years old, it can be difficult for men to detect osteoporosis early because Medicare does not cover screening in men. The condition is prevalent in Caucasian and Asian men with a sedentary lifestyle, ABC reports.

"If they have risk factors, one being if they're smokers, if they drink a lot of alcohol, more than two drinks a day, [they are more likely to develop osteoporosis]," said Dr Tannaz Zahirpour, also of ACMG.

Doctors at ACMG are currently testing a new drug called Odanacatib.

"This blocks the resporption of bone so that the osteoclasts is not as active, and so it allows the balance between making bone and losing bone to tilt in a positive direction," said Odio.

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women and one in five men over 50 years old will experience fractures due to osteoporosis.